One of the most significant Christian leaders of our time, a great hero of the faith, Rev. David Wilkerson, passed away on April 27 in a car accident. On Saturday, May 14, thousands turned out for his memorial service at Times Square Church in New York City, the church that he founded in 1987.
“Brother Dave” had a positive spiritual impact on millions of people through his personal ministry and the ministries he founded. For over 60 years he served God, his people, and those who were in need. Ministry leaders from many countries and all over the United States, Times Square Church members, and hundreds of other believers were in attendance to honor his contribution to the kingdom of God.
For those of us at Teen Challenge, Brother Dave’s enduring legacy will always be that he founded this ministry for the addicted, the hurting, and the disenfranchised; but it was not his original intent to start a ministry. It simply happened as he obeyed the voice of the Holy Spirit and courageously moved forward to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with hardened gang members on the streets of New York City.
This path of obedience, chronicled in the book and subsequent movie, The Cross and the Switchblade, inspired generations of Christians to serve the Lord. The book has sold over 50 million copies and has been translated into 30 languages. Through reading this book, many people have come to salvation, others were called to a lifetime of service to God, and many started new ministries.
As Teen Challenge continued to grow across the country, Brother Dave began to feel God leading him in new directions of ministry. He founded David Wilkerson Youth Crusades in the 1960s, in an effort to reach a generation of teenagers who were confused and in despair over the state of the world and their own lives. Later he formed World Challenge to help carry this message of God’s love and hope around the world. After serving as pastor of Times Square Church for over 20 years, the last ministry he established was Please Pass the Bread, which supplied relief and support for hungry children, widows, and orphans around the world.
Brother Dave also spoke powerfully to the church and the nation through dozens of books, pamphlets, and through his sermon series sent regularly to those who wanted to hear an uncompromising message from God. In an era in which many in ministry are quick to confer titles of honor upon themselves, Brother Dave never bothered to classify himself. He simply spoke what he believed the Lord had laid on his heart. Sometimes it was a message of judgment; other times it was a message of God’s love, grace, and mercy.
There are two memories of Brother Dave that I will always carry with me.
One was at the 50th Anniversary celebration of Teen Challenge at Times Square Church in 2008. At the end of the first service, Brother Dave was joined by Nicky Cruz, Sonny Arguinzoni, and Israel Narvaez — all key figures in the beginning of Teen Challenge and in The Cross and the Switchblade. I remember feeling like I was watching a Bible story unfold before my eyes as these historic figures were reunited together for what turned out to be the last time.
The second memory occurred during the same celebration. Each past president of Teen Challenge, USA was to begin a service in prayer. Unfortunately, Herb Meppelink could not attend because of his battle with cancer. (I served under “Brother Mepp” for 10 years at the center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri before he became president of Teen Challenge, USA. He was my mentor and a dear friend.) Gratefully, Mike Hodges, then current president, had visited Brother Mepp and had recorded a video greeting from him. When it was announced that Brother Mepp would not be able to be there in person because he was fighting cancer I saw Brother Dave had such a pained look on his face. Of course he knew Brother Mepp, and his own family had undergone many struggles with cancer. Brother Dave had a genuine concern for all who were suffering.
David Wilkerson was God’s man for this generation. Only heaven will completely reveal the impact of this man who walked in simple faith and obedience to God; only heaven will reveal the impact of “a life well lived.”
At Teen Challenge, USA, Brother Dave’s death serves as a challenge to us to continue the work that he began 53 years ago. We must still have that simple faith that believes that no matter how low a person may go in the depths of sin, the love and grace of God goes deeper still. Brother Dave helped us to believe that no person is hopeless as long as he or she will reach out to Jesus Christ for salvation and deliverance.
I am firmly convinced that this work that was started by Brother Dave will continue on until our Lord’s return, with many thousands continuing to be set free from sin and addiction through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
